Church Profile: Christ Apostolic Church (Cac)

Let’s talk about something special today. Something spiritual, powerful, deeply rooted in Nigerian soil, and yet reaching the far corners of the world. I’m talking about Christ Apostolic Church (CAC)—that fiery, prayer-driven, Holy Ghost-filled church that has stood the test of time.

If you grew up in Nigeria, chances are you’ve either attended a CAC service, passed by one, or heard testimonies from someone who was healed or transformed through its ministry. For some of us, our grandmothers still tie their white scarves tight and shout “Jesu oooo!” like they’re reporting directly to heaven—and honestly, maybe they are.

So today, let’s take a long, spirit-led walk through the world of CAC. No shortcuts. No Google. Just a heartfelt telling of how this movement came to be, what it believes, how it spread, and why it still matters today.

🌱 Humble Beginnings: Where It All Started

Every great story has a quiet beginning, and CAC’s origin is no different. Back in 1918, a group of deeply spiritual Christians in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, got tired of ordinary Sunday-Sunday Christianity. You know that type—where you say the same prayers every week and go home spiritually dry.

These men and women wanted more. They wanted fire. They wanted miracles. So, they formed the Precious Stone Society, also known as the Diamond Society. Their mission? To seek God through fervent prayer and experience divine healing without relying on Western medicine.

Now, this group wasn’t about drama or rebellion. They were simply hungry for God. But their hunger shook things up. Their meetings began to attract people—especially those who were sick, oppressed, or desperate. And guess what? People started getting healed. The movement started growing like wildfire.

🔥 The Revival That Shook Ilesa in 1930

Fast-forward to 1930 in a town called Ilesa, where everything changed. A young man named Joseph Ayo Babalola, who was working as a steamroller driver (yes, a literal steamroller!), had a divine encounter. This wasn't your usual Sunday morning dream. It was a full-on God experience that led him to quit his job and start preaching.

Now, imagine a man who had never been to seminary, who didn’t wear fancy robes, but who carried so much spiritual power that the sick were healed, the demon-possessed were delivered, and the dead were reportedly raised. That’s Babalola for you.

When he arrived in Ilesa and started ministering, the revival that followed was like nothing Nigeria had seen. People abandoned their idols. Traditional healers packed up. Churches overflowed. Testimonies of healing and transformation spread like wildfire.

This wasn’t just hype. It was real. And from that moment, the movement transformed from a small society into a nationwide spiritual earthquake.

🛤️ The Road to Becoming Christ Apostolic Church

Now, as with any revival, growth came with growing pains. After the revival, the movement joined forces with The Apostolic Church in the UK. But the relationship was rocky. Why? Because the foreign missionaries believed in combining prayer with medicine, while Babalola and his Nigerian colleagues were strong believers in divine healing only.

It didn’t take long before this led to a serious split. The Nigerian side decided, “We love you, but we need to follow what God is saying to us.” So, they pulled out and started their own movement.

After trying a few names, including “United Apostolic Church” and “Nigeria Apostolic Church,” they finally settled on Christ Apostolic Church in 1941, and officially registered it in 1943.

Just like that, Nigeria got its first indigenous Pentecostal church—a church founded by Nigerians, led by Nigerians, and grounded in a truly Nigerian expression of Christian faith.

🙏 Beliefs That Define CAC

If there’s one thing CAC doesn’t joke with, it’s prayer. In fact, for most people, CAC is synonymous with mountain prayers. You know the drill—hiking up a rugged hill, shouting “Powerrrr!” till your voice disappears, and soaking your clothes with holy sweat. But it’s not just about noise. It’s about a deep belief in the power of God to intervene in human affairs.

Here are some of CAC’s core beliefs:

• Divine Healing: They believe that God still heals the sick without the help of medicine.

• Baptism of the Holy Spirit: Speaking in tongues? That’s normal.

• Sanctification: Holiness is a lifestyle.

• Spiritual Gifts: Prophecy, healing, discernment—all in active operation.

• Apostolic Governance: The church is structured with apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists, and teachers.

• Sacraments: They observe Holy Communion, baptism by immersion, and feet washing.

And yes, they believe in financial stewardship too—tithes, offerings, and giving are key.

👨‍👩‍👧 Leadership and Legacy: From Babalola to Today

The spiritual father of CAC, Joseph Ayo Babalola, passed away in 1959, but his legacy is alive and burning. Over the years, the church has had several strong leaders who carried the vision forward.

Leadership in CAC isn’t just about wearing a collar or giving sweet sermons. It’s about spiritual authority. It’s about being able to pray down fire. It’s about leading with humility, wisdom, and anointing.

The current president, Pastor S.O. Oladele, continues in that tradition—upholding the values of the church while navigating the realities of modern ministry.

📚 Education and Expansion: CAC Is Building More Than Churches

One thing CAC understood early on was that you can’t pray all day and ignore education. So, they started building schools, Bible colleges, training institutes, and eventually, a university.

In case you didn’t know, CAC is the proud owner of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU)—a faith-based institution that combines academic excellence with spiritual discipline.

Apart from JABU, the church has countless secondary schools, theological colleges, and training centers that are shaping the next generation of pastors, evangelists, and professionals.

🌍 From Nigeria to the World: CAC Goes Global

You might think CAC is just a local church for rural communities, but that’s far from the truth. Today, CAC has branches in Europe, America, Canada, and even Asia. Wherever you find Nigerians abroad, there’s a good chance a CAC assembly isn’t far away.

And they’re not just “branch offices.” These are full-blown churches with vibrant choirs, all-night vigils, and prophetic fire. CAC’s influence has quietly but steadily grown across borders. It has become a global expression of African Christianity.

🎤 The Worship Experience: Not for the Faint of Heart

Attending a CAC service is not for spectators. You don’t go to CAC to observe—you go to participate. Expect loud praises, strong intercessory prayers, prophetic declarations, spontaneous tongues, and dancing that would put a fitness coach to shame.

The worship isn’t about performance; it’s about spiritual encounter. It’s raw, unscripted, and deeply moving. The hymns? Pure fire. The testimonies? Real. The altar calls? Life-changing.

You leave a CAC service either delivered, drenched in sweat, or both.

⚖️ Challenges and Triumphs

Of course, no church is perfect. CAC has faced its fair share of challenges—leadership tussles, doctrinal debates, and generational shifts. There have been disagreements over modernization, youth inclusion, and how to adapt to changing times without compromising the faith.

But through it all, the church has remained anchored in prayer, holiness, and mission.

💡 Why CAC Still Matters Today

Let’s be real. In a world of trendy sermons, performance-driven worship, and popcorn theology, CAC remains deep, consistent, and unapologetically spiritual. It teaches people to fast, to pray, to resist temptation, to honor God, and to pursue righteousness.

Young people may want fancier lights and shorter services, but the power that birthed CAC is still relevant today. Because in the end, it’s not about the building, the branding, or the size of your congregation. It’s about a people who are committed to seeking God with their whole hearts.

Conclusion

The story of Christ Apostolic Church is the story of Nigeria’s faith journey. It’s about ordinary people doing extraordinary things through prayer, faith, and obedience. It’s about revival, resilience, and relevance.

Whether you’re a lifelong member, a former member, or just someone who’s curious, CAC’s legacy is a testimony that God still uses simple people to do powerful things.

So, next time you see a white-robed CAC grandmother walking to church with her Bible and anointing oil, don’t just smile and walk past. Stop and say a prayer. Because behind her calm face is a warrior who has touched heaven more times than you can count.

Have you ever been to a CAC service? Did you grow up in the movement? Or did a CAC prayer change your life at some point? Let’s talk in the comments. This is a story that belongs to all of us.